Still out, Bosh plays role of Garnett on scout team

June 1, 2012|By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

BOSTON — Chris Bosh still isn't ready to face Kevin Garnett, but he is healthy enough to imitate him.

Back on the floor with his teammates for the first time since sustaining a lower-abdominal strain during the first half of the first game of the Miami Heat's previous playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Bosh handled scout-team duties Friday morning at TD Garden.

Still listed as being out indefinitely by the Heat, Bosh, sidelined since May 13, worked with the scout team as the Heat prepared for Friday night's Game 3 against the Boston Celtics in these Eastern Conference finals, up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

"He was able to do some shooting and able to do some of the walkthrough stuff that we did at the very end," coach Erik Spoelstra said of the morning workout. "That was helpful, because he's been involved in Boston prep before, so we had him as Kevin Garnett in our walkthrough part."

Sort of. For now, Bosh is limited to walking.

"If I was to compare 'em, Kevin Garnett has an incredible motor," Spoelstra said with a smile. "It wasn't anywhere near any kind of speed."

While the Heat largely have kept Bosh off limits for comment as part of the team's policy with injured players, teammate Dwyane Wade said Friday was encouraging.

"It's great to see him out there, moving, smiling," he said. "You can tell he's got to get back to where he was."

Spoelstra has altered his lineups amid Bosh's absence, and said further changes remain possible. While center Ronny Turiaf started Wednesday's Game 2 victory over the Celtics, he was replaced by Joel Anthony as the starter in the second half of that game, Turiaf's lone action limited to his initial stint.

"That was just based on the flow of the game, that's all," Spoelstra said. "I've said this time and time again, but with Chris out, that completely changed the dynamic of our team and sometimes our rotation. So everything is always on the table.

"I would like to have some consistency now, but, come on, this is our [eighth] game without him, you're not going to get major consistency anyway."